Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Belgium bans imports from Israeli settlements
Belgium has announced an import ban on products originating from Israeli-occupied territories. The country took this unilateral action after the European Commission failed to implement a unified Europ...
Why the local fireworks shows are not happening, and why politicians knew it all along
Proposed local firework shows, intended to offer an alternative to a national fireworks ban in the Netherlands, are failing to materialize. Members of Parliament had previously warned that these local...
Undocumented man may not be evicted from shelter: "No good alternative"
A court has ruled that a Ghanaian man with schizophrenia can remain in his supported housing facility in Amsterdam for now, despite his expired residence permit. The judge determined that evicting him...
Trump threatens Canada with tariffs over 'filthy air' from wildfires
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada, blaming the country for the smoke from wildfires drifting across the border. He described the situation as negligence and sugges...
Brabant to revoke livestock farmers' nature permits, sparking opposition anger
The provincial government of North Brabant intends to revoke the environmental permits of five poultry farmers located near vulnerable nature areas to reduce nitrogen emissions. This decision has been...
300 of 950 jobs cut at Healthcare and Youth Care Inspectorate: 'Tough choices'
The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) in the Netherlands is cutting 300 out of its 950 jobs due to budget reductions. Inspector-General Monique Vogelzang stated that the organization will need ...
Defense personnel receive significant 6.5 percent pay raise
Military and civilian personnel at the Dutch Ministry of Defence will receive a 6.5 percent salary increase starting September 1, with an additional 2 percent raise planned for 2028. This measure is i...
Mayor closes home after drug discovery
Mayor Jos Wienen of Haarlem has ordered the six-month closure of a residence on Pieter van Musschenbroekstraat following the discovery of large quantities of hard drugs and drug-trafficking materials ...
EU allows industry more emissions but maintains climate goals
Starting in 2031, the European Union will allow the industry more leeway for carbon emissions and lower costs in exchange for commitments to green production. Brussels aims to balance industrial compe...
'Transit country' Belgium wants to charge for its roads, what will the Netherlands do?
The Belgian government has announced a mandatory vignette for road use starting next year. The article questions whether the Netherlands should follow this example, noting that Belgium acts as a trans...
Number of reports of confused persons continues to rise in first half of 2026, 20 percent increase in Amsterdam
No zero-emission zone for passenger cars after all; here is what the city can do: "Give privileges to electric drivers"
The municipality of Amsterdam has abandoned plans to introduce an emission-free zone for passenger cars by 2030 due to a lack of national legislation. Economist Walther Ploos van Amstel suggests that ...
Serious safety concerns for Bos en Lommerweg residents, "Achie the Somali does not live here"
Police are concerned for the safety of innocent residents in an Amsterdam apartment on Bos en Lommerweg that was targeted by a shooting and an explosion. Authorities believe the incidents were a case ...
No CCTV around Sloterplas despite increasing reports of women being harassed
The municipality of Amsterdam has decided against installing stationary security cameras around Sloterplas despite an increase in harassment reports against women. Instead, officials will deploy extra...
Extra income support in Amsterdam significantly lower than in other municipalities
Paramount CEO accused of deal with President Trump
Film producer David Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison, are facing accusations of engaging in an illegal deal with U.S. President Donald Trump. This arrangement was allegedly intended to facilitate...
Squatter gives tour of Van der Madeweg: "There's a booby trap here"
Squatters occupying a long-vacant building on Van der Madeweg in Amsterdam are set to vacate the premises this Friday ahead of its scheduled renovation into a student hotel. While the occupants claim ...
R. Kelly asks Donald Trump to reduce his 31-year prison sentence
R. Kelly has filed a formal request with U.S. President Donald Trump to commute his 31-year prison sentence. The R&B singer is currently incarcerated for crimes including sexual abuse and the producti...
US bill hangs like a dark cloud over ASML's Chinese market
A proposed U.S. bill seeks to restrict the export of chip technology from partner countries to China. The Dutch government has expressed criticism, noting that such measures could significantly impact...
Dutch people receive vastly different amounts when living in long-term poverty
People in the Netherlands living in long-term poverty receive significantly different amounts of financial support depending on their municipality. The individual income supplement, intended to assist...
Book vouchers and VVV gift cards face potential abolition in European fight against money laundering and dark money
New European anti-money laundering regulations threaten the future of popular Dutch gift vouchers such as the Boekenbon. Stakeholders argue that these rules are overly restrictive and could lead to th...
German arms exports more than quadrupled in the first half of the year
German arms exports have quadrupled in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2023, according to preliminary data from the German Ministry of Economic Affairs. This significant inc...
Little interest in new Schiphol talks: Amsterdam may participate, but residents' groups remain skeptical
Former US President Joe Biden to release memoirs in November
Former US President Joe Biden will release his memoirs titled 'Promise Me, America' on November 17. The book is scheduled to be published shortly after the American midterm elections.
German government allocates billions in energy support for residents and businesses
The German government is allocating 13.3 billion euros for an energy support package to assist households and businesses next year. This initiative includes additional subsidies for energy-intensive c...
79 reports of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 79 permit applications last week related to demolition and tree felling. Residents are encouraged to review the list to see how these activities affect their spec...
Dutch-Moroccan human rights organizations criticize opening of House of Morocco in Amsterdam’s Plantage neighborhood
He started behind the grill at McDonald's, now Wesley Tack is the first ever PVV alderman: 'Wilders is looking over my shoulder'
Wesley Tack has been appointed as the first-ever alderman for the PVV party, despite having no prior political experience. Originally from Belgium and a former McDonald's employee, Tack faces signific...
Multiple raids and arrests in the Red Light District during anti-trafficking operation
Fickle Trump drops threat of Strait of Hormuz levy after just one day
U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed his decision to impose tolls on shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz just one day after announcing the plan. Trump stated that the reversal follows th...